Tender Hepatomegaly: Causes, Symptoms & What to Expect

Tender hepatomegaly refers to an enlarged liver that is also tender to the touch. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

1. Viral hepatitis: This is a common cause of tender hepatomegaly. Viral hepatitis can be caused by several different viruses, including hepatitis A, B, and C.

2. Alcoholic liver disease: Chronic alcohol abuse can damage the liver and lead to tender hepatomegaly.

3. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): This is a condition in which fat builds up in the liver. NAFLD can be caused by obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

4. Drug-induced liver injury: Certain medications, such as acetaminophen, can damage the liver and lead to tender hepatomegaly.

5. Autoimmune hepatitis: This is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the liver.

6. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC): This is a condition in which the bile ducts in the liver become inflamed and damaged.

7. Sclerosing cholangitis: This is a condition in which the bile ducts in the liver become scarred and narrowed.

8. Budd-Chiari syndrome: This is a condition in which the hepatic veins, which carry blood from the liver to the heart, become blocked.

9. Liver cancer: This is a cancer that starts in the liver.

10. Other conditions: Tender hepatomegaly can also be caused by a variety of other conditions, such as congestive heart failure, amyloidosis, and sarcoidosis.